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Alex Packer

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Alex Packer

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STUNNING RARE GATED ART DECO DUPLEX TOWNHOUSE

Overview

1 Bedroom, 1.5 Bathrooms, Convertible bed(s), Sleeps 4

In Response to Popular Demand: I have made my apartment available for short- and mid-term rental on a highly selective basis. Everybody, of course, wants to know what 'highly selective' means. It means... compulsively neat, thoroughly house-broken non-smokers who would be aesthetically troubled by a crooked painting, were trained at an early age not to roller-blade in the living room or fingerpaint on the sofa, and who always remember to wipe their feet, turn off the stove and take the key. (Well, almost always!)

If you're contemplating a trip to Paris but are daunted by the thought of overpriced hotels, outstretched palms, $30 continental breakfasts, and planning the day around the chambermaid, please read on. I hope you will get a sense of why so many of my guests keep returning year after year after year.

The apartment is an elegant duplex on a gated, private street in a 1930s art deco building, located in one of the most fashionable and beautiful sections of Paris, yet with quick and easy access to all that Paris offers.

The first floor has a dramatic double-height living room, dining room, gourmet kitchen and half bath. Upstairs are the master bedroom, a modern bathroom with oversize tub and separate shower, and a study/entertainment center overlooking the living room. It's just steps to the neighborhood center and supermarkets, bakeries, cafes, restaurants, cheese and wine stores, and many other shops and conveniences.

I think you will enjoy the superior level of furnishings, art and 'objets,' as well as the many hundreds of CD's, guidebooks, and books on the art deco era, art deco architecture, design and painting, and French history and culture. My wonderful English/French-speaking housekeeper/assistant can help you with reservations, taxis and insider tips!

Top Location: The apartment is in the 16th Arrondissement, long known as one of the most fashionable and beautiful sections of Paris. It is an area of elegant boulevards, stylish boutiques, and bustling neighborhood centers. Yet the broad, tree-lined streets give you more breathing room than in the crowded and noisy tourist districts. My guests say that staying at my apartment makes them feel like Parisians instead of visitors.

Neighborhood conveniences are just steps away. The post office is a 3-minute walk. A few blocks farther is a modern indoor public swimming pool, the Ranelagh Gardens and Musee Marmottan, indoor and outdoor food markets, and the chic boutiques on Rue de Passy and Avenue Victor Hugo. A 10-minute walk takes you to the Bois de Boulogne which, with its lakes, woods, and gardens, is a great place to jog or rent a bike or canoe.

Paris is for strolling, and the Eiffel Tower, Trocadero, Arc de Triomphe, and Champs Elysees are all within easy walking distance of the apartment.

Getting Around is Quick and Easy by Bus and Metro: The Metro stop (Rue de la Pompe) is a block away. This line (#9) takes you to the Champs Elysees in under 8 minutes, as well as to the grand department stores, the Opera, Bateaux Mouches, Trocadero,and many other places you'll want to visit. At 'Franklin D. Roosevelt' you can change to the #1 line which goes to the Place de la Concorde, Tuileries, Palais Royale, Place des Vosges, Marais, Bastille, Centre Pompidou and the Louvre.

Two bus lines, the 52 and 63, stop within a block of the apartment. The 63 is like a sightseeing tour with its wonderful views of the Eiffel Tower, Trocadero, Place de la Concorde, and Seine. It goes to the heart of the left bank and Latin Quarter with stops that include St. Germain des Pres, Musee d'Orsay, Invalides, Luxembourg Gardens, Sorbonne, Notre Dame, Ile de la Cite and many other places.

This is a rare and stunning apartment for discriminating travelers. I hope to have the pleasure and privilege of being your host.

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About Alex Packer

Hello! Thank you for your interest in my apartment. Although my body spends most of the year in the United States, my heart lives full-time in Paris! I have been renting my apartment for 12 years and have been privileged to host many hundreds of guests and their friends and family over this time. I get great pleasure out of knowing that others can enjoy my favorite city in the world using my apartment as their base for exploration.

I enjoy corresponding with guests and answering any questions they might have. I send every guest three visitors packets containing detailed information on the apartment and neighborhood, tourist tips, bus, metro, and airport transportation guidance, maps, favorite walks and places, and a restaurant guide containing descriptions and reviews of 24 neighborhood restaurants, as well as dozens more throughout the city.

I have been going to Paris for many decades and, if you add it all up, have made over 100 trips and spent many years in cumulative residence during that time. I adore the city's 'civilization'—its beauty, grandeur, culture, history, architecture, restaurants, parks, museums—is there anyplace else that offers such a broad and deep array of treasures and pleasures? I like not having a car, using public transportation, walking miles every day, and popping in to the neighborhood stores for the finest and freshest foods.

My dream is to spend more time in Paris over the coming years. That will significantly cut down on my apartment's availability, so rent it while you can! :-)

Why Alex Packer chose 16th Arrondissement Passy Trocadero

From my first trip to France at age 15, I fell in love with Paris. Over dozens of subsequent visits I got to know the major cities of Europe and promised myself that one day I would own a place in Paree! While every section of the city has its charms, I was drawn to this area of the 16th arrondissement for reasons that become evident from guest reviews. The location is convenient to all of Paris via foot, bus, or metro—but you feel like you’re living in a genuine and beautiful Paris neighborhood rather than a tourist district. While virtually every shop and service you might need for everyday life is just steps from the apartment, you don't have the feeling of being in a dense commercial zone. There’s more breathing room which, after a day spent jostling with strangers in the more crowded areas, is a pleasure to come home to. While I can easily walk to the Champs Elysees or Eiffel Tower, it’s also a short stroll to the Bois de Boulogne with its 2,000 acres of lakes, forests, bike and walking paths, gardens, chateaux, and Michelin starred restaurants. What more could you ask for?

What makes this apartment unique

My apartment is situated on a tiny, private, gated street (they say it’s the shortest “avenue” in all of Paris). There’s no through traffic—automotive or pedestrian. What’s most unique about my place is that you enter it directly from the sidewalk of this secure and quiet community of art deco buildings.

The apartment (along with three others), occupies the first two floors of a taller apartment building. So it’s like entering your own private townhouse. My guests and I love this freedom of not having to punch in a code to get in a lobby, and then turn on lights, and then walk through a courtyard, and then turn on more lights, and then take an elevator, and then go down a corridor—just to get to your apartment. With my own front door, I can be at the corner bakery in 30 seconds—a great benefit for those seeking warm, fresh croissants for breakfast.

I was also drawn to the sense of spaciousness the apartment affords. European apartments (and hotel rooms) can be much smaller than those in the United States and many other countries. The soaring two-story high living room with its sweeping stairway to the study balcony on the second floor makes the apartment feel much larger than its actual square footage. And the art deco design—the apartment was built in 1930—makes me feel connected to one of the great eras in Parisian history, the period between the wars when artists, writers, and musicians flocked to Paris to create some of the most famous works of art and literature of the 20th century.

Mona, my wonderful housekeeper for 12 years, lives elsewhere in the same complex and is available 24/7—a great comfort for guests should any problems arise. Mona is American, but has lived in Paris for over 30 years. She greets all guests to provide keys and answer questions and, as the reviews attest, enjoys being of service to help make our guests' visits comfortable and memorable.

Reviews

5

based on 53 traveler reviews

Excellent Apartment in the 16th!

5
of 5

My family and I loved our recent stay in this apartment. The location is in a great section of Paris with easy access to metro and RER. The aparment itself was excellently equipped with everything we needed and everything is in good condition. We also appreciated all of the access information and Paris guides located within the department. I would recommend this apartment to any party of up to 4 looking for a great stay in Paris.

Beautiful apartment, wonderful neighborhood

5
of 5

My husband and I recently stayed for three weeks in this lovely apartment. Every word of description provided by the owner, Alex, as well as the pictures are completely accurate and only just begin to convey how much you will enjoy staying here. This is the fourth time we have rented different apartments for multiple weeks in the 16th and we have already reserved this apartment again for next year. We are shopping around no more! From the quiet of the private gated street to the contemporary elegance and comfort of this apartment to the wonderful neighborhood right outside the gate, we were completely happy here for our extended stay. Alex goes above and beyond to make your stay a delight. The welcoming baguette, excellent cheeses, fruit and wine let us settle right in after our flight. We especially liked the upstairs area that let one of us work on computer or nap while the other of us enjoyed the comfort of the open high ceilinged living space downstairs. The kitchen is very well equipped and supplied. Unlike other apartments, all paper products are amply supplied, not just starter sets. Because this is Alex's personal home when he is not in the US, not just a rental home, you get the advantage of living in a space that he has decorated and furnished with superb taste and TLC. We miss it already and look forward to next year.

True Pleasure

5
of 5

Your pleasure awaits you at this Art Deco Townhouse . I cannot rave enough about my experience at this cozy, immaculate duplex that felt like home the moment we walked in. A must when in Paris. The location was perfect, the accommodations perfect. Communication with Alex the entire time was spot on.

The information that he provided was more than helpful and not expected the week of our departure. From shopping to cafe's to walking tours on your own, transportation, maps just priceless information made easy. Mona and her assistant were a wealth of information and available for your every need. A pleasant surprise of flowers, wine and baguettes. All from the local wine, cheese and Boulangerie. So generous and thoughtful. Did I also mention delicious!!

I cannot wait to return. As for my husband who travels all the time and is a fussy traveler welcomed this perfect place with open arms.

“When Good Americans Die, They Go to Paris.” Oscar Wilde

5
of 5

We stayed at this beautiful hideaway in the heart of the 16th arr. for an all too brief 8 days. Our arrival was warmly welcomed by the caretaker, Mona and her assistant, Winston, who greeted us with a delicious selection of cheese and fruit from the local market, and prepared each of the rooms with a bouquet of bright crimson roses; a perfect color to contrast with the white on white decor of the townhouse.

My husband, teenage daughter and I fit comfortably in the home, with plenty of space for privacy. The guest bath off the kitchen allowed for the master bath to remain free from our daughter's clutter. Plus, the airy and roomy first floor had plenty of space for her massive luggage from a 6-week journey.

We began each day with fresh croissant, pain au chocolate & custard from the corner patisserie and we brewed coffee from the well stocked and appointed kitchen. Every night we ate at one of the local restaurants, except for one night when we "became Parisian" and cooked at home. The selection of local places to eat is excellent. We became regulars at one place in particular, Da Enzo, where the Italian fare was simple and delicious.

Finding things to do in Paris is never difficult, but the townhouse's impressive collection of books on Paris, French History and Art Deco design temps one to stay put and get lost in the reading, rather than in the nearby Auteuil, where there is some of the most renown examples of Art Nouveau buildings.

Our visit to Paris was made so much better because of this townhouse; its accessibility, security, charm, warmth, size and beautiful design, it was difficult to leave; it was to "die for".

Live like a Parisian

5
of 5

We were greeted immediately on arrival by the management staff who made us feel right at home. One glance at the sweeping staircase and wall of thoughtfully chosen books told us the reviews for this apartment were spot on. This would be a lovely place to stay.

As mentioned in many of the reviews, the apartment has everything you need for a stress free vacation. There are converters for the electricity, internet and phone service. It works very well and we had no internet issues. The kitchen is stocked with every item you can imagine including all utensils, tableware, cookware, microwave, refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and laundry machine. The bathroom upstairs has extra stock of toiletry items if needed and the second downstairs bathroom is handy if you are staying with multiple guests. And plenty of mirrors!

The apartment is located in a beautiful area of the city within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower. I would suggest ear plugs for those who are sensitive to noise if you are not used to the sounds of a city. There are groceries, fruit stands and restaurants within a block or two of the apartment. We also appreciated the nearby metro station at Rue De Pompei and RER station at Henri Martin. The metro made it easy to get around the city and the RER was very convenient for the airport.

We loved Chalet Du XVI, the restaurant on the corner, for nightly desserts, drinks and coffee. The staff more than tolerated our lack of French and even encouraged our attempts to practice. By our second visit we were treated as friends and they waved to us each day as we walked by--being open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chez Kelly, near the Eiffel Tower, had a great tomato, mozzarella and basil pesto sandwich for $6 euro. Fresh roasted corn awaited us at the metro each weekday. You will enjoy finding all of your own favorites as you explore this beautiful area. That is, if you can tear yourself away from the comfy sofas and books in the townhouse. Good luck with that!

Map

Nearest Airport

18
Miles

Paris Charles de Gaulle

Nearest Barpub

0.05
Miles

Nearest Train

0.1
Miles

Henri Martin

Nearest Restaurant

0.05
Miles

Car: not necessary

Great location! Elegant, safe and more relaxed than the crowded tourist zones. Stroll the broad avenues and chic, nearby shopping streets. Buses and Metro within a block for quick and easy access to all of Paris. Walk to the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees and Bois de Boulogne. All neighborhood conveniences within 1-2 minutes: supermarkets; cheese and wine shops, cafes and restaurants, pharmacy, ATM's and much more. Act like a tourist; live like a Parisian!

The master bathroom upstairs is quite large and immaculately clean. There's a deep, oversize tub and a separate tiled shower, along with a sink, toilet, bidet and heated towel rack. Cabinets provide ample space for guest toiletries and belongings. This bathroom can be accessed without going through the bedroom, so downstairs guests can use it without disturbing upstairs guests. The half bath on the first floor contains a sink and toilet.

Bedrooms:

1 Bedroom, Sleeps 4

Bedroom 1 -
1 queen

The apartment is luxuriously ideal for two. Depending on the ages and privacy preferences of visitors, the apartment can sleep up to four persons: two upstairs in the master bedroom; one in the living room on the convertible B&B Italia sofa; and one more in the living room on a day bed. The bedroom has an entire wall of mirrored closets that provide storage space for clothes and suitcases.

Entertainment:

Audio Tape Player

Books ...

CD Player

DVD Player

Music Library ...

Radio

Satellite / Cable ...

Stereo

Television

VCR

Suitability:

children welcome ...

non smoking only

pets not allowed

Onsite Services:

Concierge

Housekeeper

Attractions:

cinemas

coin laundry

live theater

museums

restaurants

Leisure Activities:

antiquing

shopping

sight seeing

walking

Local Services & Businesses:

ATM/bank

Babysitter

groceries

laundromat

massage therapist

medical services

Sports & Adventure Activities:

swimming

tennis

Notes:

The apartment is extremely well-equipped. There are two mini-stereos for CD's, tapes and radio; an iPod docking station, Wi-Fi and Broadband for high-speed Internet connections, and a printer for guest use. My cable service offers over 200 channels including numerous movie channels, TCM, Sundance, BBC, CNN, Bloomberg, CNBC and many more. Local calls are free, as well as international calls to land lines in over 100 countries, and calls to cell phones in the United States and Canada.